204
America’s First Constitutions and Declarations of Rights
assemble to consult upon the common good; give instructions to their
representatives; and to request of the legislative body, by the way of addresses, petitions, or remonstrances, redress of the wrongs done them,
and of the grievances they suffer.
xx.—the power of suspending the laws, or the execution of the laws,
ought never to be exercised but by the legislature, or by authority derived from it, to be exercised in such particular cases only as the legislature shall expressly provide for.
xxi.—the freedom of deliberation, speech and debate, in either house
of the legislature, is so essential to the rights of the people, that it cannot
be the foundation of any accusation or prosecution, action or complaint,
in any other court or place whatsoever.
xxii.—the legislature ought frequently to assemble for the redress of
grievances, for correcting, strengthening, and confirming the laws, and
for making new laws, as the common good may require.
xxiii.—no subsidy, charge, tax, impost, or duties, ought to be established, fixed, laid, or levied, under any pretext whatsoever, without the
consent of the people, or their representatives in the legislature.
xxiv.—laws made to punish for actions done before the existence of
such laws, and which have not been declared crimes by preceding laws,
are unjust, oppressive, and inconsistent with the fundamental principles
of a free government.
xxv.—no subject ought, in any case, or in any time, to be declared
guilty of treason or felony by the legislature.
xxvi.—no magistrate or court of law shall demand excessive bail or
sureties, impose excessive fines, or inflict cruel or unusual punishments.
xxvii.—in time of peace no soldier ought to be quartered in any house
without the consent of the owner; and in time of war such quarters ought
not to be made but by the civil magistrate, in a manner ordained by the
legislature.
xxviii.—no person can in any case be subjected to law-martial, or to
any penalties or pains, by virtue of that law, except those employed in the
army or navy, and except the militia in actual service, but by authority of
the legislature.
xxix.—it is essential to the preservation of the rights of every individual, his life, liberty, property and character, that there be an impartial in-